Functionality disable and re-enable for programmable calculators

Abstract

A handheld calculator with disable / re-enable capability. The calculator includes a keypad, a display screen, and circuitry internal to the calculator. The circuitry includes a microprocessor, a storage unit for storing data and programs for execution by the microprocessor to implement calculator functions. The storage unit has stored therein a disable / re-enable program that recognizes a first predetermined calculator event and in response thereto disables one or more programs, and that recognizes a second predetermined calculator event and in response thereto re-enables the disabled program. The invention allows Apps, programs and additional information that may be embedded within the Apps and programs in a calculator or other handheld calculating device to be rendered temporarily inaccessible within a relatively short period of time, and then to be restored to the calculator, again, in a relatively short period of time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to electronic calculators, and more particularly relates to programmable calculators such as graphing calculators. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Solid state electronic calculators appeared during the 1960's as a smaller and quieter alternative to earlier electro-mechanical adding and calculating machines. In 1967, a team of Texas Instruments engineers led by Jack Kilby completed the development of its first prototype integrated circuit electronic calculator, which they called the “Cal-Tech,” generally regarded as the world's first “pocket” electronic calculator. It handled the four elementary arithmetic functions, was contained in a small rectangular box, weighed only 45 oz. and used a thermal printer to display results. Texas Instruments was awarded U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,921 on the results of this work. [0003] Development of electronic calculators continued, resulting in ever smaller calculators with ever high...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention allows Apps, programs and additional information that may be embedded within the Apps and programs in a calculator or other handheld calculating device to be rendered temporarily inaccessible within a relatively short period of time, and then to be restored to the calculator, again, in a relatively short period of time. As used herein, the term calculator is to be understood to refer to any handheld calculating device capable of storing programs that are executed on the device, and to computer simulations or emulations of such devices.

Problems solved by technology

However, the expanded functionality of handheld programmable calculators which has done so much to enhance the teaching experience in the classroom carries with it a problem, especially in light of the use of such calculators during exams.

The other environment is the testing environment, in which the students are being tested on what they have learned, and therefore may not be allowed to use the programs, Apps and additional information that assisted them with their learning.

However, the restoration of such items requires reloading every such item that was deleted.

This puts a highly undesirable burden on the teacher.

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